Is vehicle excise tax a proper write-off for itemized tax deduction?

Q: Is vehicle excise tax a proper write-off for itemized tax deduction? - Alex, Chestnut Hill

The following answer was provided by the Mass. Society of CPAs.

A: Yes, vehicle excise tax is a proper itemized tax deduction. Personal property tax is deductible, if it is charged on personal property, based on the value of the personal property, and charged on a yearly basis.

The following answer was provided by Mark Misselbeck, CPA, Levine Katz Nannis & Solomon PC, Needham.

A: The MA Excise tax on autos is in the nature of a personal property tax, such as other states impose on their citizens. It is, therefore, deductible, provided you itemize your deductions. This is not the case of a "tax" that is actually a fee for service, such as water and sewer charges, are not taxes (for purposes of federal tax deductibility) and are not deductible.